Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has resubmitted a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. This comes after her initial petition was dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Akpoti-Uduaghan presented the petition again, stating that it was submitted on behalf of her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu. Senate President Akpabio then asked if there were any legal barriers to accepting the petition. In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that there were none.
Following this exchange, Akpabio directed her to formally present the petition, which was then referred to the Senate Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen. The committee was instructed to review the petition and provide a report within four weeks.
This development follows a previous controversy on Wednesday when Akpoti-Uduaghan initially brought the petition before the Senate. At that time, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) objected, citing Senate Standing Order 40. He argued that the petition could not be considered because of an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife.
Monguno also pointed out that since Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed the petition, it should not be reviewed. As a result, the Ethics Committee dismissed the initial petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”
